Where are they now: Phil McDaniel, St. Augustine Distillery

Douglas Jordan

Friday

Dec 21, 2012 at 10:59 PM

In this annual year-end series, The St. Augustine Record checks in on people who were in the news this past year and reports where they are now.

In the news: In May, local entrepreneur Phil McDaniel announced his plans to build a distillery in Lincolnville at the old Ice Plant building. McDaniel plans to manufacture "small batch" whiskey and rum, vodka, gin and fruit liquors using locally sourced fruit, grain, sugar cane and botanicals, and will offer free tours and tastings to the public.

What he's doing now: McDaniel said everything is on track for construction of the St. Augustine Distillery Co., and that he recently closed on the southern building on the property at 112 Riberia St. He plans to invest $3.5 million in the project, which will entail the complete renovation of the historic factory building, and said he hopes to obtain permits from the city of St. Augustine in January and to be up and running by the end of 2013. The distillery will result in 15 new jobs in the community, he said.

He says: "Things are moving right along. Right now, it's just getting things in order, working with engineers and preparing to go before the city. Once we get permitted, we'll start working on building the stills, which take about seven months to construct. We're excited about what we're planning here, and we can't wait to get open and share our spirits with the people of St. Augustine."

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